Carton forming machine



Feb; 10, 1942. J, G, VERGOBB] 2,272,255

CARTON @ORMING MACHINE Filed July 14, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOI} I 74-h v.BYdJS CM.

I ATTOR EY Feb. 10, 1942 J. VERGOBBI I I 2,272,255

I CARTON FORMING MACHINE Filed July 14, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheef 2 INVENTOR mv Mew.

to produce a so-called Patented Feb. 10,4942 i UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to a container formin machine, and more particularly to a bag making machine.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved container forming machine of the type provided with a forming block about which the container making material is wrapped to form the container, and in which provision is made for forming the end or bottom of thecontainer in a novel, superior and efllcient manner.

Withthis general object in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the carton forming machine and in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred em-Yv bodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a plan viewof the end or bottom forming mechanism, some of the parts being shown in cross-section; Fig. 2

-is a sid elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a partially formed container wrapped about a forming block as it appears before the end of the container is formed; Figs. 4 and 5 are side and end views respectively of a portion of the end forming mechanism shown in Fig. 2 showing the parts in a different position of operation; Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail views showing the end folding brushes in different stages of operation; Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are perspective views illustrating the manner in which the bottom or end of the container is formed upon the forming block; and Fig. 12 is a detail view similar to Fig. 4 showing an end foldin plate in a different position of operation, as will be described.

In general, the present inventioncontemplates a novel and improved mechanism for forming the bottom or one end of a container and in the preferred form is as herein shown, a container forming machine of the type having an intermittently rotated spider provided with a plurality of horizontally disposed forming blocks about which blanks of the carton forming material are wrapped to produce the container.

and an outer portion or wrapper formed over the bodyportion while still retained upon the forming block.

- In the operation of such container forming machines now upon the market,- a blank of the material is wrapped about a. forming block at one station of operation and 'adh'esively or otherwise sealed along a longitudinal sideseam to produce a tubular container having one end extending beyond the end of the block, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Thereupon the forming block is moved to another station of operation where the extended portions are folded over and adhesively secured to form the bottom of' the container. Thereafter, an outer wrapper is formed about the container and the end is closedin a similar manner before removal of the outer and inner containers from the block.

In the commercial form of such prior container forming. machines, the mechanism for forming the end or bottom of the containers comprised two pairs of opposed reciprocal plates which operated to first tuck in one'pair of opposed extended portions and thereafter the remaining pair of opposed extended portions were folded over and adhesi'vely secured together. Since the end folding operations were performed at one station. of operation the reciprocating V movement 'of such folding plates w s necessarily relatively rapid in order to get maximum pro- -.duction output from the machim, thereby causing excessive wear and strain f the operating parts and limiting the production speed of the machine. I In accordance with the present invention, part of the end forming operation is performed by a plurality of continuously rotated brushes which I wipe or fold the portions of the wrapper extended embodied in f Such container forming machines may comprise any usual or preferred form now upon the market. such for example, as the machine illustrated in the United States Patent to Hesser, No. 1,020; 821, March 19., 1912. Such machines "double packe container which comprises an inner or body portion of the container'first formed upon the forming are designed V 20. The remaining opposed extended portions block so 22',- 24 of the wrapper beyond the block down to form the end of the container in a smooth and efflcient manner as a resultof which the production capacity of the machine may be substantially increased without causing undue strain or wear upon the operating parts.

Referring now to the drawings, it represents the forming blocks, a plurality of which are radially mounted upon an intermittently rotated disk, 3

not shown. The present end forming mechanism includes a pair of pivotally and yieldingly mounted folding plates l2, which are arranged to be moved into. and from operative engagement with the end of the forming oppo'sedextended portions l6, it of the wrapper are arranged to be folded block to fold in the over into overlapping relation upon the portions IS, IS, by a plurality, and as herein shown, by four rotary brushes 28, 30, 32, 34, two of which are mounted to revolve upon the same shaft I04. As shown in Fig. 6, two of the rotary brushes 28, 32 are arranged to revolve in paths which cause them to bear against/two opposed edges of the block in order to form a crease in the unscored wrapper along these edges and to urge the extended portions 22, 24 of the wrapper slightly inwardly in preparation for the succeeding folding operations. The rotary brush 30 is then arranged to engage the extended portion 22 and to lay this portion down against the previously folded portions. The remaining extended portion 24 is folded into engagement with under-' lying portions by the rotary brush 34 after the intermittently operated forming block has started to move as illustrated in Fig. 8. In practice, when the machine operates to produce the double packet" container, it will be observed that the inner surfaces of the extended portions of the outer wrapper are provided with a coating of adhesive 36 so that when the above described folding operations have been completed the extended portions thereof are adhesively secured .to the end of the inner container and to the overlapping portions of the end of the outer wrapper.

In the operation of the machine, after the above described operations have been completed, the forming block is moved to the next station of operation, indicated diagrammatically at 38 where pressure is applied to the end of the blockby a pressure member 40 to firmly set the adhesive. During its travel from the end folding station to the pressure station, the container is retained upon the block by a fixed guide rail 42.

In the operation of the present end folding mechanism, the various folding members are actuated in timed relation to the movement of the forming blocks I of the container forming machine. As herein shown, see Figs. 2, 4 and 5, the upper and lower folding plates I2, I4 are carried by upper and lower slide brackets 44, 46 respecblock as shown in Fig. 2 by similar springs I6 I connected to the slide brackets. The springsv brackets 44, 46 in proper alignment with the tively, which are slidingly mounted upon a ver tical stud 48 supported in a base bracket 50 mounted upon the machine frame. Provision is made for reciprocating the slide brackets 44, 46 to present the folding plates I2, I4 into and from operative engagement with the end of the forming block and, as herein shown, this movement is effected through connections from a closed cam 52 mounted upon a cam shaft 54 forming a part of the container forming machine. The cam 52 cooperates with a cam roller 55 carried by one arm 58 of a three-armed lever pivotally mounted upon a shaft I50. The upper slide bracket 44 is connected by a link 82 to a second arm 64 of the three-armed lever, and the lower slide bracket 46 is connected by a link 66 to the remaining arm 58 of the three-armed lever. In operation, when the three-armed lever is rocked in one direction, the upper slide bracket 44 is moved downwardly and the lower slide bracket 46 is moved upwardly, and when the three-armed lever is rocked in the opposite direction, a reverse movement, of the slide brackets is effected.

As herein shown, the upper and lower folding plates I2, I4 are similarly mounted upon arms I0, I2 respectively, each plate being arranged to pivot about a pin I4 carried in each arm, when the plates are moved into engagement with the block, The plates are normally held in an angular positionwith respect to the end 01 he end of the forming block, or to prevent the slide brackets from moving laterally, the brackets are slidingly engaged with a vertical shaft mounted in the base bracket 50. The shaft 85 is one of three continuously rotated vertical shafts upon which the rotary brushes are mounted, as will be described. As best seen in Fig, 2, an upper bearing bracket 45, supported fromthe vertical stud 48, is provided for the vertical shaft 85. i

Each folding plate I2, I4 is provided with a curved member 88 extending across one end of the. plate and disposed substantially at right angles thereto, In operation, when the plates are moved intooperative position, the flat surfaces 90 engage the extended portions I5, I8 of the wrapper and fold them inwardly around the corners of the block and upon continued movement, the curved members 88 engage the sides of the block and cause the plates to pivot until the flat surfaces 90 assume a vertical position, parallel with the end of the block, as illustrated in Fig. 4, whereupon the folding plates are withdrawn from engagement with the block 'to assume their original position.

In practice it was found that in some instances, particularly at the end of the container at the longitudinal seam 92, the movement of the plates in being withdrawn caused the folded over portion of the container to be drawn back slightly, thus forming a slight ridge along the folded edge of the container. In order to overcome this tendency, provision is made, see Figs. 2 and 12, for rocking the folding plate away from engagement with the end of the block and the partially formed end of the container, prior to the withdrawal movement of the plates whereby to relieve the pressure of the plate upon the end of the block and to produce a neat fold. As herein shown, the arm I0 is provided with a cam roll 94 which cooperates with a cam 88 arranged to rotate with the vertical shaft 85. As herein shown, the cam 96 is mounted to permit longitudinal movement upon the shaft, as well as rotary movement, by the provision of a bushing 98 which is slidingly mounted upon a. square portion I00 of the vertical shaft 85. The shaft 85 is rotated one revolution per cycle of op eration of the machine, and the cam 86 is provided with a high spot 81 arranged to engage the roller 94 and to rock the arm '10, to move the folding plate I2 away from the end of the block just prior to the withdrawal movement, as illustrated in Fig. 12.

Referring now to Figs, 1 and 2, it will be ob-- scrved that the rotary brushes are mounted upon three vertically disposed shafts I02, 85, I04 mounted in the base bracket 50, and as herein shown, these shafts are geared to rotate together through a driving connection forming part of the container forming machine. As shown in Fig. 1, ashaft I06, arranged to rotate one revolution per cycle, is connected to the vertical shaft I04 upon which the brush 2B is tion is particularly adapted for folding mounted by bevel-gears I, Hi. The opposed vertical, shaft Ill is arranged to be driven I through a connecting shaft III iournaled in the base bracket 50 and which is provided with bevel gears H4, H6, one at each end, the gear ill meshing with the bevel gear Ill andthe second gear I I6 meshing with a bevel gear Hi fast upon the vertical shaft I04, upon which the brushes 32, 34 are mounted. The intermediate vertical shaft 85, upon which the brush 3| is mounted,

is driven from the shaft H2 through spiral gears I20, I22. All of the cooperating gears have a driving ratio of one to one so that each shaft is driven one revolution per cycle of operation of the machine whereby the continuously rotated brushes may be adjusted-in fixed relation upon the shafts to operate in the sequence illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, as hereinbefore described.

It will be observed that the brushes are mounted in suitable holders, and, as best seen in Fig. 2, the holder for brush 28 is provided with an opening I24 to permit the brush ll to pass therebetween at their point of intersection.

In the operation of the device, the brushes 2'. 32 for creasing the wrapper against the edge of the block as hereinbefore' described may and vfor folding down said extended end to. form the bottom of the container comprising a pair of pivotally and yieldingly mounted folding plates adapted to engage and fold down two opposed portions of said extended end, and two pairs of rotating brushes forfolding down the remain- I ing opposed portions, one pair of said brushes preferably will. be adjusted so that'they will en gage the wrapper at the same time that the folding plates 12, ll are inengagement with the end of the block. As best shown in Fig. 5, the folding plates taper inwardly slightly so as to produce a tapering fold in the extended portions IB, i8 as illustrated in Fig. 9, when the brushes bear against these portions during their rotary travel. As soon as the folding plates are withdrawn, the brush-30 engages the portion 22 as shown in Fig. 7 and thebrush 30 is adjusted on the shaft 85 so that when the block ll starts to move, the brush 30 will remain in engagement with the portion 22 for a short distance to hold therflap down. As hereinbefore described,

the portion 24 is folded down while the block In is moving through the operativeportion of the revoluble movement of the forming block and the rotary movement of the brush 34.

From the above description it will be observed that the present end forming mechanism is capable of operation in a smooth, rapid and con tinuous' manner without undue strain upon the operating parts whereby greater production capacity may be obtained from the machine. Al-' though the illustrated embodiment of the invenover. the

being mounted in a position to crease the adjacent extended portions against'the edges of the block and the other pair being arranged to successively engage and fold down said remaining opposed portions in overlapping relation .to the first folded down portions, said foldihg plates being arranged to be vertically reciprocated into and out of operative engagement with their respective opposed portions of said extended end.

3. In a container forming machine having, in combination, an intermittently movable container forming block about which the container forming material is wrapped at one station of operation to form a tubular container having one end extended beyond the block and end f orming'mechanism adapted to fold down said extended end to form the bottom of the container at a succeeding station of operation, said and forming mechanism comprising a pair of pivotally and yieldingly mounted folding plates adapted to engage and fold down one pair of opposed portions of said extended end, and a plu-.

rality of continuously rotating brushes adapted to engage the remaining pair of opposed portions of said extended end and to fold them down in overlapping relation to the underlying folded down portions, one of said brushes being arranged to engage and fold down the final porextended ends of a wrapper or outer container,

it will be apparent that the mechanism may be employed with advantage in closing the end of the inner container as well.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention 'may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a container forming machine, in combinatiomarectangular forming block about which the container forming material is wrapped to form a tubular body portionhaving one end extended beyond the block, and means for folding down said extended endto form the bottom of the container comprising a pair of pivotally and yieldingly mounted folding plates adapted to engage and fold down two opposed portions of said extended end, and a plurality of rotating brushes adapted to engage the remaining pption during the movement of said block.

4. In a container formingmachin'e, in combination, an intermittently movable container forming block about which the container forming material is wrapped at one station of operation to form a tubular container having one end extended beyond the block, and end forming mechanism adapted to fold down said extended end to form the bottom of the container at a succeeding station of operation, said end forming mechanism comprising a pair of pivotally and yieldingly mounted folding plates adapted to engage and fold down one pair of. opposed portions ofsaid extended end, said folding plates being arranged to be vertically reciprocated into and out of operative engagement with said one pair of opposed portions and a plurality of continuously rotating. brushes adapted to engage the remaining pair of opposed portions of said-extended end and to fold them bination, an intermittently movable container forming block about which the container forming material is wrapped at one station of operation to form a tubular container having one end extended beyond the block, and end forming mechanism adapted to fold down said extended end to form the bottom of the containerat a succeeding station of operation, said end forming mechanism comprising a pair of pivotally and yieldingly mounted folding plates adapted to engage and fold down one pair of opposed portions of said extended end, means fold down said remaining portions in over- Y lapping relation to the first folded down portion, and means for rotating said brushes in timed relation to the movement of said intermittently operated block, one of said last named pair of brushes being arranged to engage and fold down the final portion during the movement of said block.

6. In a container forming machine, in combination, a rectangular forming block about which the container forming material is wrapped to form a tubular body ,portion having one end extended beyond the block, and means for folding down said extended end to form the bottom of the container comprising a pair of pivotally and yieldingly mounted folding plates adapted to engage and fold down two opposed portions of said extended end, means for moving said plates into and out of engagement with said two opposed portions, means operative to rock said plates away from engagement with said folded down portions prior to the withdrawal movement of the plates, and a plurality of rotating brushes adapted to engage the remaining opposed portions of said extended end and to fold them downin overlapping relation to the underlying folded down portions.

7. In a container forming machine, in combination, a rectangular forming block about which the container forming material is wrapped to form a tubular body portion having one end extended beyond the block, and means for folding down said extended end to form the bottom of the container comprising means for folding down two opposed portions of said extended end including a pair of reciprocatory supporting arms, a lever pivotally and yieldingly mounted to each of said arms and a folding plate pivotally and yieldingly mounted to each of said levers, said folding plates being normally disposed in an angular position with respect to the end of said block and capable of being rocked into a position parallel therewith when brought into engagement with the adjacent corners thereof, and a plurality of rotating brushes adapted to engage the remaining opposed portions of said extended end and to fold them down in overlapping relation to the underlying folded down portions. l

8. In a container forming machine, in combination, a rectangular forming block about which the-container forming material is wrapped to form a tubular body portion having one end extended beyond the block, and meanstfor folding down said extended end to form the bottom of the container comprising a pair of pivotally and yieldingly mounted folding plates adapted to engage and fold down two opposed portions of said extended end, and two pairs of rotating brushes for folding down the remaining opposed portions, one pair of said brushes being mounted in a position to crease the adjacent extended portions against the edges of the block and the other pair being arranged to successively engage and fold down said remaining portions in overlapping relation to the first folded down portions, one of said brushes being disposed in close proximity to a second brush and being formed with an 'opening therein to permit said second brush to pass therethrough during the rotation of said brushes.

JOHN G. VERGOBBI. 

